Faux painter Jayne Samuelson Wright manages to juggle being a business success, a talented artist, and an incredibly sweet woman all at the same time. Seriously, kick out those unfriendly painters, scrap that wallpaper, and start dialing Wright’s cell.
Wright was initiated into the world of faux art at Pompeii Italian Grill on Nacogdoches road while it was still under construction. The restaurant owners hired her to give the inside a little more atmosphere — what they didn’t expect was a completely gorgeous revamp of the building’s interior.
“Before I knew it, I had designed and painted a huge mural, sky-painted domes, rough stone columns, faux-stone beams around the ceiling, a painted granite bar, a sculpted bas-relief in matching colors, painted cement fountains, faux stone, and Venetian plaster,” Wright said breathlessly. “It was very well received, so I realized my ability and began enjoying leaving my studio, because each project became an exciting
challenge.”
Armed with a degree in fine arts from the University of Texas, Wright is ready (and more than willing) to take on any challenge. Some of her favorite things to paint in homes are color-washed walls, domes, ceilings, niches, and columns.
“I’m invigorated with the artistic process: Each project entails making custom colors, which brings originality and distinction to the room,” said Wright. “I am enthralled with the results, and no two rooms ever turn out the same.” She has worked her magic on a variety of environments, including apartments, homes, and businesses.
Wright has been perfecting her craft for the past 30 years, and she has been featured in the San Antonio Parade of Homes on an almost annual basis. Her clients often call her “San Antonio’s best kept secret.” A secret indeed; it took Diggs a couple of days to find her as we feverishly searched through the (very few) faux-painting artists serving the San Antonio area.
Debating whether you want faux art in your home? According to Wright, any house could be homier with a little bit of flair. “Faux painting in a home makes it personal and can express personality. Faux gives drama, beauty, and character to flat, painted walls,” explains Wright. It also increases the resale value, she says. “One of the nice things about faux painting is you can go from Old World finishes, like leather, marble, and granite, to the sleek modern metallics.”
Warming up to the idea? Wondering if your bank account can handle it? Wright describes herself as “a bargain at any price.” Her commissions are priced according to the person, the project, and the situation. Murals can range anywhere from $2.50-$17 per square foot, depending on the request.
Tempted to pick up the phone but dreading a repeat of the cat-fight fiasco that occurred between you and that interior designer last week? Former client Melissa Georgoulakis stands behind the artist. Her story starts when she found herself under stress while working on her custom home.
“A builder walked off the job and the interior designers kept pushing me to do things their way instead of listening to what I wanted for my custom home,” said Georgoulakis. A year before the house was done, Wright came into the picture and helped Georgoulakis paint along the way. “I ended up with art-gallery-quality art in my home thanks to her.”
According to Georgoulakis, Wright was so passionate about getting the job done right that she personally researched Greek art to get the fresco perfect, and the result, she says, was a home that feels “more authentic than the movie Troy.” •
Wright is a faux-painting artist who accepts custom commissions. For more information, visit jswfrescos.com or contact her via email at
[email protected].
